Rail services warn of disruption due to strong wind, heavy rain and snow: live

The wet and windy weather has led to traditional New Year’s Day swims to be called off across Wales.

The mayor of Newport in Pembrokeshire took to social media to announce the town’s event would be cancelled, adding: “As the tide will be out we would have to swim from the beach and the wind and gusts have made it too dangerous.”

The iconic Forth Road Bridge was open to cars only on Tuesday morning, while the snow gates are closed on the A939 between Tomintoul and Cock Bridge.

CalMac Ferries said several services on the west coast of Scotland had been cancelled with others subject to disruption.

Further south, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said all Tuesday’s sailings between Heysham and Douglas have been cancelled.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued an alert for “severe” flooding just after 6am, telling residents in the Aviemore and Dalfaber areas to “act now”, however this was downgraded by 7.45am with no “severe” flood warnings in place.

Highland Council had previously advised guests staying at Aviemore Holiday Park to seek alternative accommodation due to the “imminent” risk of flooding, while Sepa had said evacuations were expected.

Sepa said river levels began to rise on Tuesday morning, rather than overnight as expected.

It said: “Overnight, water levels on the River Spey did not rise as expected. It did begin to rise early on Tuesday morning and that will continue into the day. Less rain fell overnight than was forecast, but is continuing to affect the area.”

Heavy winds are battering the coast of Blackpool proving just why a planned fireworks display was cancelled.

An update on the Visit Blackpool website said the rest of the New Year’s Eve Family Party would still go ahead in the Lancashire seaside resort, with a projection show on the tower to mark the start of the new year.

The A832 Fortrose to Avoch in Black Isle is closed due to a landslide.

Police Scotland received reports of the landslide at 8.30am on Tuesday, 31 December, affecting both sides of the road.

The force said the road is likely to remain closed for some time. “Motorists should plan ahead and follow diversions.”

The organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have issued an apology to tourists who have travelled to the Scottish capital for the midnight fireworks display.

An Indian tourist who travelled with his wife and four children to Edinburgh for the celebrations told Good Morning Britain they are “very disappointed”.

He added: “We were in London and we came here just for Hogmanay.”

Another visitor described the decision as “heart-breaking”, while his travel companion added: “It’s super disappointing. We are trying to figure out something else to do but we are totally clueless.”

Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson defended the “undoubtedly” correct decision to cancel.

He told Radio 4’s Today programme: “The organisers believe that they took the decision quite early for the reason that they wanted to be able to communicate to people who have been travelling now.

“I would stress whilst it is hugely disappointing that the events as planned in Princes Street, in the old town, over by the castle, the concert by Texas and so on, are not going ahead, there will be lots happening in Edinburgh.

“There will be all kinds of events, the pubs and clubs will be open.

“I’m truly sorry for everybody who has travelled but I think given the extent of the weather forecast – it’s really, really bad in some parts of the country – it’s not the right thing to proceed.”

The Met Office warned “blizzard conditions are possible”, especially in the far northern regions of Sutherland and Caithness.

A 24-hour yellow warning for rain will come into force across much of Wales and north-west England from 6pm on Tuesday.

The wild weather is wreaking havoc across the country this New Year’s Eve marring celebrations for millions.

List of New Year’s Eve displays cancelled so far:

• Two fireworks displays planned for 6pm and midnight on Newcastle’s Quayside have been cancelled because of the weather.
• Edinburgh’s Hogmanay street party, outdoor concert and fireworks display were cancelled amid fears over public safety.
• A planned fireworks display in Blackpool has been cancelled because of expected high winds with a projection expected to illuminate Blackpool tower
• A New Year’s Eve fireworks event in Ripon, North Yorkshire, has been cancelled because of the weather.
• A planned fireworks display in Blackpool has been cancelled because of expected high winds, organisers said.
• Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has also cancelled its Lyme Lunge sea dip on Wednesday because of forecast winds of 50-60mph and it said in a statement: “I think you will all agree that we must put the safety of Lungers first.”
• A homemade boat race set to be held in Poole, Dorset, on New Year’s Day has been cancelled because of the expected poor weather.
• Claremont Pier was due to host a funfair, food stalls, live music but the event will now happen a few days later.